A winter storm bringing a mix of snow and ice to the Southeast is snarling air travel Friday.
More than 2,600 U.S. flights have been canceled and over 2,400 others have been delayed as of noon ET, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware. That includes over half the flights in and out of Nashville, more than 40% of Charlotte flights and 40% of Atlanta flights. And even though the storm has moved out of Dallas, over 20% of flights into Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field remain canceled Friday.
Travelers scheduled to make connections through these cities are also impacted. Aside from being Delta’s home, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world, and both DFW and Charlotte Douglas International Airport are hubs for American Airlines.
Impacted travelers may rebook flights without penalty. Here’s what you’re owed if your flight is canceled or delayed by the storm.
Which airlines are offering waivers?
Weather waivers vary by airline, so be sure to check the details for yours below. Note that most waivers only apply to select airports and certain windows of time.
Snow blankets Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a winter storm moves into the area on Jan. 10, 2025.
What am I entitled to if my flight is canceled?
If your flight is canceled for any reason, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel.
When a flight is canceled for reasons within an airline’s control, travelers who choose to stick it out are eligible for compensation or accommodations, like rebooking on another flight or airline at no added cost, lodging or meal vouchers, and other benefits. Weather is notably outside an airline’s control.
The Department of Transportation has created a dashboard for travelers to easily access information about services U.S. airlines provide in the case of controllable cancellations or delays.
Click here to access the DOT Cancellation and Delay Dashboard.
What is a controllable cancellation or delay?
According to the DOT, a controllable cancellation or delay is one caused by the airline itself. Controllable reasons include maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling. Things like weather or air traffic control flow programs do not count against the airline.
What am I entitled to if my flight is delayed?
A new DOT rule that went into effect in late October requires airlines to refund passengers if their flight is significantly delayed for reasons within the carrier’s control. It also makes airlines more responsible for following their own customer commitments in those cases.
If your flight is delayed significantly for a reason within the airline’s control, you are entitled to a refund if you choose not to travel. If you decide to stick it out, you may be entitled to some compensation or accommodation, including rebooking on another flight or airline at no cost, meal and lodging vouchers for qualifying delays, and other benefits if the delay was controllable.
No U.S. airlines currently offer cash compensation for delays, but the big four (American, Delta, Southwest and United) all offer hotel and ground transportation vouchers for controllable overnight delays.
Airline-specific details can be found on the DOT’s dashboard.
A departure board shows canceled flights as snow blankets Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as a winter storm moves into the area on Jan. 10, 2025.
What is a significant delay?
The DOT defines a significant delay as a departure or arrival that is three hours late or more for a domestic flight, or six hours late or more for an international flight.
What to do if your flight is canceled or delayed
Look up your airline’s policies and be your own advocate. Get in touch with the airline however you can, whether it’s through the app, through social media, by phone or at the airport help desk if you’re already on your way.
It’s good to have some alternative flights in mind when you speak to an agent, and be sure to ask for any accommodation or refunds you may be entitled to if you plan to take advantage of those policies.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, Kathleen Wong; USA TODAY
(This story has been updated with new photos.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Friday flight cancellations climb as winter storm hits Southeast
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